2021 Bellevue (Saint Emilion)

A late-ripening estate that can be austere when young even in the biggest vintages, and here you will definitely feel the emphasis on sculpted raspberry fruits, with limestone acidity. Juicy and elegant, it opens up when you give it time, and will soften up over ageing. Lemongrass and gunsmoke minerality, this is bright and focused.

Generous, ample and softly sweet and jammy, the freshness, acidity and fruit purity is to the fore as are the grippy chewy fleshy tannins. It has the density to push on the mid palate but also sustains an aerial nature through to a long finish and feels well worked with no harshness here. A juicy strawberry succulence comes in on the second and third tastes alongside aniseed touches and I like the mineral crushed stone element on the tongue. This has a definite charm!

100% Merlot. Cask sample. Fleshy but with plenty of tension through the palate. Certainly freshness, the chalky terroir evident. Tight and firmly structured but drying on the finish, the oak present. Awkward stage but should all fall into place. (JL)